Page 28 of The Rebel Billionaire

"It's got good bones. And this neighborhood has solid investment value. How was theinspection?"

"It was fine," I said tightly. Was he just going to pretend everything was okay? He had to know I was still furiouswithhim.

"Fine meaning it's not going to fall down on your head? Or fine meaning the foundation is in decentshape?"

I crossed my arms over my chest, pressing the warm hot chocolate against my collarbone, savoring the bittersweetscent.

Trying to control my frustration, I said, "Fine meaning the foundation is in great shape, and the rest of it isn't as bad as itlooks."

"Are you going to show me around?" Aidenasked.

"Are you going to apologize for firing me?" Idemanded.

Aiden let out a short laugh and shoved his hands in his pockets, shaking his head. His brown eyes met mine long enough for me to recognize his innate stubbornness wasatplay.

Damnit. The only person I knew more stubborn than me wasAiden.

"No," he said without remorse. "I'm sorry the situation ended up with me having to fire you. And I'm sorry that you're angry. But I'm not sorry Ididit."

"Then I don't think I have anything to say to you right now." I sipped at my cocoa to cover the quaver in myvoice.

"I'm really pissed at you," I went on once I had my emotions under control. "I know you're used to having the whole world fall at your feet like you're the king of the universe, but that was my job you took away. I've been working my ass off for that company, our family's company, my entire adult life, and you just yanked it out from under me because you thought you knew what was best. Now, you think you can stroll back in here, and I'm just supposed to let it go? It's not that easy,Aiden."

Aiden looked away, seemingly very interested in the missing decking on my front porch. He let out a sigh, his shoulders slumping just alittle.

"I don't want you to be mad at me, Charlie,"hesaid.

"Tough luck. You don't get to choose when I'm mad at you. And you don't get to completely screw me over and then expect me to forget about it a few dayslater."

"Then I guess you won't agree tomovehome?"

"No," I shouted. "No, I'm not moving home. This ismyhouse, and I'm livinginit."

"It's not safe,"Aidensaid.

"Whatwouldbe safe enough? Jacob's building? Winters House?" I asked, fighting the urge to either walk away or pitch my hot chocolate atAiden.

I stayed put. Walking away was too childish, and I wasn't going to waste Annabelle's hot chocolate on atantrum.

"Either of those," Aiden retorted. "Do you even have a security system here? Have you changed thelocks?"

Evading his question about the locks, I said, "I left Evers a message this morning about putting in asystem."

"That's astart."

"Do you have any specific reason to think I'm not safe here?" I asked, suddenly worried that Aiden knew something Ididn't.

He shook his head and shrugged oneshoulder.

"No. But you're my baby sister, and you've never lived on your own before. I don'tlikeit."

"Well, deal with it." Not the most mature response, but it was the best I had tooffer.

"Charlie," he said in that gentle tone I knew so well, "I am sorry. This is my fault. If I'd handled you right in the first place, you never would've ended up working so much and being so stressed out. Firing you was an extreme solution, but at this point, I didn't feel like I had another option. I'm asking you toforgiveme."

I stared at the blue sky over Aiden's head, tears filling my eyes at his apology. Goddamn him for makingmecry.

This was one of the things I'd always admired about Aiden. He was bullheaded and thought he had the right to tell everyone what to do, but he was never afraid to apologize when he knew he waswrong.